Philadelphia Eagles (10-2 SU,9-30 ATS) vs. Los Angeles Rams (9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS)
NFL Week 14
Date/Time: Sunday, December 10, 4:25pm ET
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles, CA
TV: FOX
by Bob, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: PHI +2.5/LAR -2.5
Over/Under Total: 49.5
This Sunday there is an NFC game between two division leaders that will have huge implications on playoff seeding when it is all said and done. The 10-2 Philadelphia Eagles will head west to take on the Los Angeles Rams who sit at 9-3 on the season. As of right now, Los Angeles is the third seed in the conference and a win over Philly would get them in that top two spot and in position for a first round bye.
Both of these teams are somewhat of a surprise in 2017. Not only are they both rebuilding from some bad seasons over the last few years, but they are connected in the fact that their quarterbacks were the first two taken in the draft just two Aprils ago and both are in their second years of the league. It seems that Wentz COULD be the better player, but both he and Jared Goff have played well this season. These two teams have not met since 2014 and obviously, that result has no bearing on this game since the rosters and coaching staffs are very different.
The Rams come into this game as a 2.5 point favorite at home over the Philadelphia Eagles. The total points are set at 49.5 combined between the two teams. The public likes the Eagles, who had been the NFL’s hottest team until their loss to Seattle this last week. 61% of the early action is on the Eagles to get the cover on the road over the Rams. As for the total points, 55% of the bettors like this game to go over the posted total.
The Los Angeles Rams are leading the NFC West division with a 9-3 overall record. It appears they will get the division crown but they still need to win and keep the Seahawks off their backs as well as get positioned in the NFC Playoffs as a top two team with a first round bye. This is a huge game for both of these teams and a win in this one could go a long ways once January rolls around.
Much of the Rams success in 2017 is due to their great offense. They are averaging 30.1 points per game which ranks them first in the entire NFL. Not only does the offense rank as the best in the league, their defense comes in as the 7th best scoring defense. This is a recipe not only for a great season but these are the type numbers that turn into Super Bowl titles. Led by Todd Gurley, the Rams are putting up 115 yards a game on the ground and this is what has helped second year QB, Jared Goff, to pass for over 250 yards per game. The Rams are able to put together long drives which has helped this defense along the way. In other words…this is a very well rounded team. In order to get the win at home this Sunday, the Rams need to set the tone. Run the ball well, keep Carson Wentz and the Eagles offense off the field, and play solid defense. Do this, which is what the Rams have done all season, and I like their chances to get this win.
So, yeah, I just talked about how great the Rams are but let me say this….the Eagles are just as good, if not better. Philadelphia is 10-2 on the season and statistically they stack up with the Rams and the comparison is eerily similar. The Eagles are tied with Los Angeles for the NFL lead in scoring…30.1 points per game. While the Rams are allowing 18 points a game on defense, the Eagles allow 17.9. While Todd Gurley and the Rams rush for 115 a contest, the Eagles are a tad better tallying up 150 per game. These teams are almost mirror images of each other. The key to the game for Philadelphia will be to start fast. They cannot let the Rams start out on top and gain confidence early. Also, coming off of a bad loss on the west coast already, the Eagles do not want to make that a habit. Carson Wentz will need to make plays and get this offense rolling. From a defensive standpoint, the Eagles primary goal will be to stop the run. If they can slow down Gurley and put the pressure on Jared Goff, the Eagles could have a good chance to steal one on the road against another division leader.
This game to me is a complete and total toss up. I have no idea who wins this game and I have no way of even deciding who to take. Crazy enough, in these situations I typically take the team that is getting the points not giving up the points. Well, not today. I think the public is way too high on Philadelphia. I will go against the public in this one, play Mr. Contrarian, and take the Los Angeles Rams to get the win and the cover. I think this will be a close one and I like the Rams to win this game 30-26.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE LOS ANGELES RAMS -2 OVER THE EAGLES – Bet your pick for this game using your credit card at an online bookie where it WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% signup bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $250! (Example: Deposit $250 and they’ll give you an extra $250 FREE!) Find this great offer at Bovada Sportsbook.
